Cotton wool and c.r.a.pe being colored in the same way are used for the same purpose, the former being sold as Spanish wool, the latter as Crepon rouge.
SECTION XV.
TOOTH POWDERS AND MOUTH WASHES.
TOOTH powders, regarded as a means merely of cleansing the teeth, are most commonly placed among cosmetics; but this should not be, as they a.s.sist greatly in preserving a healthy and regular condition of the dental machinery, and so aid in perfecting as much as possible the act of mastication. In this manner, they may be considered as most useful, although it is true, subordinate medicinal agents. By a careful and prudent use of them, some of the most frequent causes of early loss of the teeth may be prevented; these are, the deposition of tartar, the swelling of the gums, and an undue acidity of the saliva. The effect resulting from acc.u.mulation of the tartar is well known to most persons, and it has been distinctly shown that swelling of the substance of the gums will hasten the expulsion of the teeth from their sockets; and the action of the saliva, if unduly acid, is known to be at least injurious, if not destructive. Now, the daily employment of a tooth powder sufficiently hard, so as to exert a tolerable degree of friction upon the teeth, without, at the same time, injuring the enamel of the teeth, will, in most cases, almost always prevent the tartar acc.u.mulating in such a degree as to cause subsequent injury to the teeth; and a flaccid, spongy, relaxed condition of the gums may be prevented or overcome by adding to such a tooth powder, some tonic and astringent ingredient. A tooth powder containing charcoal and cinchona bark, will accomplish these results in most cases, and therefore dentists generally recommend such. Still, there are objections to the use of charcoal; it is too hard and resisting, its color is objectionable, and it is perfectly insoluble by the saliva, it is apt to become lodged between the teeth, and there to collect decomposing animal and vegetable matter around such particles as may be fixed in this position. Cinchona bark, too, is often stringy, and has a bitter, disagreeable taste. M. Mialhe highly recommends the following formula:--
MIALHE"S TOOTH POWDER.
Sugar of milk, one thousand parts; lake, ten parts; pure tannin, fifteen parts; oil of mint, oil of aniseed, and oil of orange flowers, so much as to impart an agreeable flavor to the composition.
His directions for the preparation of this tooth powder, are, to rub well the lake with the tannin, and gradually add the sugar of milk, previously powdered and sifted; and lastly, the essential oils are to be carefully mixed with the powdered substances. Experience has convinced him of the efficacy of this tooth powder, the habitual employment of which, will suffice to preserve the gums and teeth in a healthy state.
For those who are troubled with excessive relaxation and sponginess of the gums, he recommends the following astringent preparation:--
MIALHE"S DENTIFRICE.
Alcohol, one thousand parts; genuine kino, one hundred parts; rhatany root, one hundred parts; tincture of balsam of tolu, two parts; tincture of gum benzoin, two parts; essential oil of canella, two parts; essential oil of mint, two parts; essential oil of aniseed, one part.
The kino and the rhatany root are to be macerated in the alcohol for seven or eight days; and after filtration, the other articles are to be added. A teaspoonful of this preparation mixed in three or four spoonfuls of water, should be used to rinse the mouth, after the use of the tooth powder.
CAMPHORATED CHALK.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powdered orris-root, 1/2 lb.
Powdered camphor, 1/4 lb.
Reduce the camphor to powder by rubbing it in a mortar with a little spirit, then sift the whole well together. On account of the volatility of camphor, the powder should always be sold in bottles, or at least in boxes lined with tinfoil.
QUININE TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Starch Powder, 1/2 lb.
Orris powder, 1/2 lb.
Sulphate of quinine, 1 drachm.
After sifting, it is ready for sale.
PREPARED CHARCOAL.
Fresh-made charcoal in fine powder, 7 lbs.
Prepared chalk, 1 lb.
Orris-root, 1 lb.
Catechu, 1/2 lb.
Ca.s.sia bark, 1/2 lb.
Myrrh, 1/4 lb.
Sift.
PERUVIAN BARK POWDER.
Peruvian bark in powder, 1/2 lb.
Bole Ammoniac, 1 lb.
Orris powder, 1 lb.
Ca.s.sia bark, 1/2 lb.
Powdered myrrh, 1/2 lb.
Precipitated chalk, 1/2 lb.
Otto of cloves, 3/4 oz.
h.o.m.oEOPATHIC CHALK.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powder orris, 1 oz.
" starch, 1 oz.
CUTTLE FISH POWDER.
Powdered cuttle-fish, 1/2 lb.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Powder orris, 1/2 lb.
Otto of lemons, 1 oz.
" neroli, 1/2 drachm.
BORAX AND MYRRH TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Borax powder, 1/2 lb.
Myrrh powder, 1/4 lb.
Orris, 1/4 lb.
FARINA PIESSE"S POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 2 lbs.
Orris-root, 2 lbs.
Rose pink, 1 drachm.
Very fine powdered sugar, 1/2 lb.
Otto of neroli, 1/2 drachm.
" lemons, 1/4 oz.
" bergamot, 1/4 oz.
" orange-peel, 1/4 oz.
" rosemary, 1 drachm.
ROSE TOOTH POWDER.
Precipitated chalk, 1 lb.
Orris, 1/2 lb.